Donna Sheely
July 2021
Donna
Sheely
,
RN
Cardiac Stepdown
WellSpan York Hospital
York
,
PA
United States
Donna's sense of something bigger going on with her patient saved this woman's life.
Donna had a patient who was admitted with nausea and vomiting, generalized fatigue, and back pain. The patient was 52-years-old, alert and oriented, and independent in the room. The patient was slated for discharge later that day but was still experiencing these symptoms. Several tests were done but everything came back negative. During her assessment of the patient, Donna knew something was going on with her patient. She notified the doctor that there was something else wrong with her patient but couldn't pinpoint the problem.
After much discussion, the doctor kept the patient for one more night. He ordered a CT of the chest the following day. The next day arrived and Donna was again assigned to the patient. The patient was sent for her CT chest which showed a critical aortic dissection. Donna immediately notified the physician who ordered a stat cardiothoracic surgery consult. The patient was emergently taken to the OR for a 13-hour aortic arch, root, and valve repair surgery. If this woman would have been discharged the day before as planned, she would not be with us now. Donna's sense of something bigger going on with her patient saved this woman's life.
After much discussion, the doctor kept the patient for one more night. He ordered a CT of the chest the following day. The next day arrived and Donna was again assigned to the patient. The patient was sent for her CT chest which showed a critical aortic dissection. Donna immediately notified the physician who ordered a stat cardiothoracic surgery consult. The patient was emergently taken to the OR for a 13-hour aortic arch, root, and valve repair surgery. If this woman would have been discharged the day before as planned, she would not be with us now. Donna's sense of something bigger going on with her patient saved this woman's life.